Psychologist vs Psychiatrist
What is the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist?
When searching for mental health support, many people wonder about psychologist vs psychiatrist. While both are licensed professionals who help people with emotional, behavioral, or mental health concerns, their training and approach are quite different.
In short: psychologists focus on therapy and behavioral health, while psychiatrists focus on medical treatment and prescribing medication
Do psychologists prescribe medication?
A common questions around psychologist vs psychiatrist is whether psychologists can prescribe medication. In most states, the answer is no. Psychologists do not attend medical school and are not licensed to prescribe medication. Their work focuses on therapy, testing, and behavioral interventions.
This is why psychologists often work closely with psychiatrists—so you can receive both therapy and medication if needed.
Psychologist
A psychologist typically holds a doctoral degree in psychology (PhD or PsyD) and is trained in assessing behavior, providing talk therapy, and using evidence-based interventions like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), or trauma-informed approaches. Psychologists focus on helping you understand thought patterns, emotions, and behaviors and guide you in building healthier coping skills.
Psychiatrist
A psychiatrist, on the other hand, is a medical doctor (MD or DO) who has specialized in psychiatry. Psychiatrists are licensed to prescribe medication and often treat more complex or biologically rooted mental health conditions such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or severe depression. They may also provide therapy, but medication management is typically their primary role.
When should I see a psychiatrist instead of a psychologist?
If you’re trying to decide psychologist vs psychiatrist, here are some scenarios where a psychiatrist may be the best fit:
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You have severe symptoms that significantly interfere with daily life.
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You’ve tried therapy alone but still struggle with depression, anxiety, or mood swings.
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You need evaluation for conditions like bipolar disorder, ADHD, or schizophrenia.
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You are considering or currently taking psychiatric medication and need ongoing management.
A psychiatrist brings medical expertise to the table, making them the right choice if you need a thorough evaluation of brain chemistry, medication options, or complex psychiatric care.
Can I see both a psychologist and psychiatrist?
Absolutely. In fact, many people benefit from seeing both. A psychiatrist may prescribe and manage medication, while a psychologist provides therapy to help you build tools, reframe thinking patterns, and process emotions.
This integrated approach—sometimes called a collaborative care model—is often the most effective way to address mental health challenges. For example, someone with depression might use antidepressant medication prescribed by a psychiatrist while working with a psychologist in therapy to address underlying thought patterns.
At Empowered Therapy, we encourage collaboration between therapists, psychiatrists, and other healthcare providers so you get well-rounded support.
Which professional helps with therapy?
This is a key point in the psychologist vs psychiatrist conversation: psychologists are the primary providers of therapy.
While some psychiatrists may offer talk therapy, most focus on diagnosis and medication management due to the medical nature of their training and the demand for psychiatric care. Psychologists and other therapists (such as licensed clinical social workers or counselors) specialize in therapy techniques and can provide ongoing weekly or biweekly sessions.
If your primary goal is to explore your emotions, work on coping skills, or navigate life challenges, a psychologist is often the best fit. If your focus is medication and symptom stabilization, a psychiatrist is the right choice.
Psychologist
- Education: PhD or PsyD in psychology
- Focus: Talk therapy, testing, behavior change
- Medication: No (with rare exceptions)
- Therapy: CBT, DBT, trauma-focused, etc.
Psychiatrist
- Education: MD or DO in medicine
- Focus: Medical evaluation, diagnosis, treatment
- Medication: Yes (full prescribing authority)
- Therapy: Sometimes, but less common
Myths & Facts: Who Does What?
Myth: Psychologists prescribe medication.
Fact: In most states, only psychiatrists (MD/DO) prescribe psychiatric medications. Psychologists focus on assessment and therapy.
Who does what: Psychiatrist = meds · Psychologist = therapy/testingMyth: Only psychiatrists diagnose conditions.
Fact: Both diagnose. Psychologists use clinical interviews and standardized testing; psychiatrists diagnose from a medical perspective.
Who does what: Both diagnose (different tools)Myth: You must choose therapy or medication.
Fact: The combination often works best—therapy with a psychologist plus medication management with a psychiatrist.
Who does what: Psychologist = therapy · Psychiatrist = medicationMyth: Psychiatrists don’t do therapy.
Fact: Some do, but most focus on evaluation and medication; psychologists provide ongoing talk therapy.
Who does what: Psychiatrists—mainly meds; Psychologists—therapyMyth: Therapy sessions and med visits are the same.
Fact: Therapy is usually 45–60 minutes focused on skills and processing. Psychiatry visits are often shorter and centered on safety, side effects, and dosing.
Who does what: Psychologist—long-form therapy · Psychiatrist—short med checksMyth: If medication helps, therapy isn’t needed.
Fact: Medication can stabilize symptoms; therapy builds long-term coping strategies and relapse prevention. Many guidelines recommend using both.
Who does what: Team care—meds + therapyOur Team
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